Ep 36: How to Calculate Lot Coverage: The Impervious Surface Rules Homeowners Miss

Before you invest thousands in design plans for that addition, ADU, or outdoor kitchen, you need to understand lot coverage requirements and impervious surface restrictions. These two often-overlooked rules can limit your building plans by 40-60%—and most homeowners don't discover them until it's too late.
🎯 In This Episode: ✅ What lot coverage requirements actually measure (it's not what you think)
✅ The critical difference between lot coverage and impervious coverage
✅ Why your covered patio counts but your deck might not
✅ Real example: 6,000 sq ft lot → only 2,400 sq ft buildable (60% reduction!)
✅ How existing structures consume your allowable coverage
✅ The environmental reasons cities enforce these limits
✅ Permeable paver solutions that recover 50% of impervious coverage
✅ Strategic design approaches to maximize building potential
✅ Common $15,000 mistake: The overhang that required redesign
✅ Complete action plan for researching your property's limits
📍 TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - Introduction: The Restrictions That Sneak Up on You
1:55 - What Is Lot Coverage? (Definition & Calculations)
8:30 - What Counts Toward Lot Coverage Requirements
14:20 - The Overhang Gotcha: Why Covered Patios Count
18:45 - Impervious Coverage Explained
25:10 - Real-World Example: The Compounding Effect
31:40 - Why These Rules Exist (Environmental Context)
37:15 - Permeable Solutions: Pavers, Pervious Concrete, Gravel
44:00 - Action Plan: Research Your Property Limits
48:30 - Common Mistakes Homeowners Make
51:20 - Strategic Design Approaches
54:00 - Key Takeaways & Next Steps in Series
📚 FREE RESOURCES: 📖 Download Chapter 1 of "The Awakened Homeowner" book: https://www.theawakenedhomeowner.com/...
📄 Free Story - The Tale of Two Homeowners: https://the-awakened-homeowner.kit.co...
🔗 RELATED EPISODES: 📺 Episode 33: Floor Area Ratio & Lot Coverage
📺 Episode 34: Setbacks & Easements - The Invisible Box
📺 Episode 35: Height Limits & Other Restrictions
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💬 ABOUT THIS CHANNEL: Your Home Building Coach with Bill Reid helps homeowners navigate custom home building and remodeling with confidence. With 35+ years of experience, Bill shares The Awakened Homeowner methodology to enlighten, empower, and protect homeowners through their building journeys.

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